Anti-glare screen cover for a MacBook, any advice?

IdrisSeabright wrote:

chdsl wrote:

It’s not really a screen protector, but rather an eye protector, designed to reduce the glare from the screen.

It doesn't matter what you call it.

It’s important that it’s there to protect my eyes rather than just the screen. The reflective screen can contribute to eye strain. How many of us are voicing concerns about eye discomfort? Eyes cannot be replaced, but a device can be.

If it is attached to the screen when closing the MBA, you have a serious risk of cracking the screen. There is no clearance between the screen and the keys when it's closed.

Firstly, it’s a MacBook Pro, and the keys are recessed; there’s about a millimetre of depth between the surface and the keys. Additionally, the screen is set back, with the frame protruding by roughly a millimetre. I placed a few A4 sheets on the keyboard to test this, and there were no imprints on the sheets. It’s a straightforward experiment.

If you find something that you can take off easily and you remember to do that, I don't see the harm. Something like this:

Magnetic Privacy/Anti-Glare Screen (Amazon)

Thanks for the link! This is better than a screen protector. 👍 I always make sure to close all my apps before wrapping up for the day, or if I need to step out during the day. It’s an old habit of mine.

Or you could do what I do and turn off all the lights in the room.

That’s not a good idea. A while back, we used to watch TV in a dimly lit room, but eye doctors advised against it. It’s better to have a bit more ambient light than just the light from the screen around you.

The only sensible solution would be to buy a Mac Mini along with a matte monitor, that is, if I’m to stick with macOS. I could then sell the MacBook Pro to someone who might be taken in by its "beauty." This setup would be perfectly adequate for office work and some leisurely YouTube watching, book reading, and so on—even the measly 8GB Mac Mini would do the trick. Alternatively, I could consider switching to Linux or Windows, as there are countless matte screen laptops available, even though I do have a fondness for macOS.

Allan Jones wrote:

Firstly, it’s a MacBook Pro, and the keys are recessed; there’s about a millimetre of depth between the surface and the keys.

Apple sees it differently:

Using a camera cover, palm rest, or keyboard cover on a Mac notebook - Apple Support.

Well, there’s nothing about using a screen protector, though—only about covers on top of the bottom part of the MacBook.

The information regarding the edge around the MacBook screen.

The edge, often referred to as the bezel, is the frame that surrounds the display. It serves several purposes, including providing structural support for the screen and housing components like the camera and sensors.

The bezel is typically larger than the actual display area, which can help prevent accidental touches and provide a buffer zone between the screen and the keyboard when the lid is closed. This design feature is particularly important for preventing damage to the screen from the keyboard, especially if the keys have any residue or if the screen protector is applied.

In terms of screen protectors, the presence of this bezel means that there is usually a gap between the screen protector and the edge of the screen, which can help reduce the risk of the protector pressing against the screen when the lid is closed. However, it's always advisable to ensure that the screen protector is properly fitted and that there is no debris trapped between the protector and the screen to avoid any potential issues.

BobTheFisherman wrote:

Reflecting light has nothing to do with the brightness of the display. Dimming a display does not affect its reflectivity.

I don't think you quite grasp what I’m saying. The issue lies with the reflectivity of the Mac screen. It doesn’t eliminate any glare. This has nothing to do with "the brightness of the display"; the reflections would be present regardless. And that impacts the eyes. You might see a lovely screen displaying a white or grey page with some text and images, but the glare is still reflecting back at you, striking your eyes without you realising it. Your eyes will register that and attempt to combat it, but ultimately, they will struggle in the long run.

Because it will damage the display. If you are using a Macbook Air or Macbook Pro the protector will damage the display if you forget to remove it prior to closing the computer.

It’s not really a screen protector, but rather an eye protector, designed to reduce the glare from the screen.

Reposition the computer to reduce "reflection".

It can't be done, except in a dark room. I can't change the ceiling lights. The painted wall reflects the light onto the screen, which then reflects it back.

BobTheFisherman wrote:

Do some research and buy what you think meets your eye requirements. It appears to me that your issue is not "reflection" but rather may be more related to screen brightness, size, resolution, and refresh rate.

That’s precisely what I’m trying to do here—ask about it. There’s a wealth of information (and videos) regarding people using screen protectors on their MacBook screens, and I rarely come across instances of screens cracking due to the soft, pliable material being on them. Moreover, there’s a noticeable edge around the MacBook screen, which is considerably larger than the screen protector itself (I’ve checked that with a standard phone screen protector). The MacBook lid is quite rigid, and that edge sits on the lower part of the MacBook, creating a genuine gap between them. Are there any of you here who have a screen protector on your MacBook screens? I’d love to get some real information from you.

BobTheFisherman wrote:

If light is reflecting off the screen change the position of the computer relative to the light source. Turn off or block the light causing the reflection.

That won't do. Moreover, it won't resolve the issue of the MacBook screen's excessive reflectivity. Even with the screen dimmed, it still resembles a mirror.

Do not use a screen protector/anti reflective screen film

Please provide a valid reason why one shouldn't, aside from the fact that it may damage the supposedly anti-glare layer of the MacBook screen. What I need is to eliminate those mirror-like reflections, thereby helping my eyes. I don't even need to close the MacBook, as I don't take it anywhere. The aim is to protect my eyes, not the device.

a - There’s a slight recess here, between the screen and the lower part of the lid.

b - There appears to be some sort of factory-installed stiff film (essentially an additional layer).

c - The edge, or the bezel.

All images taken from an iPhone 11, slightly enlarged for clarity.